Ablation balloon with vapor deposited cover layer

ABSTRACT

Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The balloon may be capable of shifting between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. A plurality of elongate electrode assemblies may be disposed on the balloon. A cover layer may be deposited on the electrode assemblies. Portions of the electrode assemblies may be free of the cover layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/877,755, filed Sep. 13, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to medical devices, and methods for manufacturing medical devices. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to medical devices for sympathetic nerve ablation.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of intracorporeal medical devices have been developed for medical use, for example, intravascular use. Some of these devices include guidewires, catheters, and the like. These devices are manufactured by any one of a variety of different manufacturing methods and may be used according to any one of a variety of methods. Of the known medical devices and methods, each has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is an ongoing need to provide alternative medical devices as well as alternative methods for manufacturing and using medical devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft, an expandable balloon coupled to the catheter shaft, the balloon being capable of shifting between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration, a plurality of elongate flexible electrode assemblies disposed on the balloon, and a cover layer disposed over the electrode assemblies.

Alternatively or additionally to the embodiment above, one or more regions of the electrode assemblies are free from the cover layer. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the electrode assemblies each include at least one electrode. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, at least one electrode is free from the cover layer. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cover layer seals the electrode assemblies onto the balloon. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the balloon is a non-compliant balloon and the cover layer unfolds and folds with the balloon. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cover layer is vapor deposited onto the balloon. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cover layer is sputter coated onto the balloon. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cover layer is plated onto the balloon. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cover layer is a polymer. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cover layer is a parylene. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cover layer is about 0.0001 to 0.0002 inches thick. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, at least some of the electrode assemblies include a temperature sensor. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the temperature sensor is positioned between a bottom surface of one of the electrode assemblies and an outer surface of the balloon. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, at least some of the electrode assemblies include a pair of adjacent bipolar electrodes. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, at least some of the electrode assemblies include a monopolar electrode. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the balloon is a non-compliant balloon. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the electrode assemblies extend along the balloon at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the balloon. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the electrode assemblies extend in a helix over the balloon.

An example method for making an ablation device is also disclosed. The method may include providing an expandable member, affixing one or more electrode assemblies to an outer surface of the expandable member, and coating at least a portion of the expandable member and electrode assemblies with a polymer. Alternatively or additionally to the embodiment above, coating includes vapor deposition. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, coating includes sputter coating. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, coating includes spraying. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, coating includes dipping. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, coating includes plating. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the one or more electrode assemblies include one or more electrodes, wherein before coating the method includes covering the one or more electrodes, the method further including a step of removing the polymer from the one or more electrodes after the coating step. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, removing the polymer includes laser ablation. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, removing the polymer includes scraping. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, coating includes coating the entire expandable member. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, coating includes coating the electrode assemblies and only a portion of the expandable member not covered by electrode assemblies. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the polymer is a parylene. Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, coating results in a layer of polymer about 0.0001 to 0.0002 inches thick.

Another example medical device is disclosed. The medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the catheter shaft. A flexible circuit may be disposed along the balloon. The flexible circuit may include a pair of bipolar electrodes. A cover layer may be sputter coated along at least a portion of the flexible circuit.

The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example sympathetic nerve ablation device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example expandable member of a sympathetic nerve ablation device;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the expandable member of FIG. 2 in an unrolled or flat configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of an example electrode assembly;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view A-A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view B-B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of an alternative expandable member in an unrolled or flat configuration; and

FIG. 8 illustrates coating a cover layer on a medical device.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The detailed description and drawings are intended to illustrate but not limit the claimed invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various elements described and/or shown may be arranged in various combinations and configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The detailed description and drawings illustrate example embodiments of the claimed invention.

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about”, in the context of numeric values, generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Other uses of the term “about” (i.e., in a context other than numeric values) may be assumed to have their ordinary and customary definition(s), as understood from and consistent with the context of the specification, unless otherwise specified. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range, including the endpoints (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5). As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described, unless clearly stated to the contrary. That is, the various individual elements described below, even if not explicitly shown in a particular combination, are nevertheless contemplated as being combinable or arrangeable with each other to form other additional embodiments or to complement and/or enrich the described embodiment(s), as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Certain treatments are aimed at the temporary or permanent interruption or modification of select nerve function. In some embodiments, the nerves may be sympathetic nerves. One example treatment is renal nerve ablation, which is sometimes used to treat conditions such as or related to hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, or other conditions impacted by high blood pressure or salt retention. The kidneys produce a sympathetic response, which may increase the undesired retention of water and/or sodium. The result of the sympathetic response, for example, may be an increase in blood pressure. Ablating some of the nerves running to the kidneys (e.g., disposed adjacent to or otherwise along the renal arteries) may reduce or eliminate this sympathetic response, which may provide a corresponding reduction in the associated undesired symptoms (e.g., a reduction in blood pressure).

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a power generating and control apparatus, often for the treatment of targeted tissue in order to achieve a therapeutic effect. In some embodiments, the target tissue is tissue containing or proximate to nerves. In other embodiments, the target tissue is sympathetic nerves, including, for example, sympathetic nerves disposed adjacent to blood vessels. In still other embodiments the target tissue is luminal tissue, which may further comprise diseased tissue such as that found in arterial disease.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the ability to deliver energy in a targeted dosage may be used for nerve tissue in order to achieve beneficial biologic responses. For example, chronic pain, urologic dysfunction, hypertension, and a wide variety of other persistent conditions are known to be affected through the operation of nervous tissue. For example, it is known that chronic hypertension that may not be responsive to medication may be improved or eliminated by disabling excessive nerve activity proximate to the renal arteries. It is also known that nervous tissue does not naturally possess regenerative characteristics. Therefore it may be possible to beneficially affect excessive nerve activity by disrupting the conductive pathway of the nervous tissue. When disrupting nerve conductive pathways, it is particularly advantageous to avoid damage to neighboring nerves or organ tissue. The ability to direct and control energy dosage is well-suited to the treatment of nerve tissue. Whether in a heating or ablating energy dosage, the precise control of energy delivery as described and disclosed herein may be directed to the nerve tissue. Moreover, directed application of energy may suffice to target a nerve without the need to be in exact contact, as would be required when using a typical ablation probe. For example, eccentric heating may be applied at a temperature high enough to denature nerve tissue without causing ablation and without requiring the piercing of luminal tissue. However, it may also be desirable to configure the energy delivery surface of the present disclosure to pierce tissue and deliver ablating energy similar to an ablation probe with the exact energy dosage being controlled by a power control and generation apparatus.

In some embodiments, efficacy of the denervation treatment can be assessed by measurement before, during, and/or after the treatment to tailor one or more parameters of the treatment to the particular patient or to identify the need for additional treatments. For instance, a denervation system may include functionality for assessing whether a treatment has caused or is causing a reduction in neural activity in a target or proximate tissue, which may provide feedback for adjusting parameters of the treatment or indicate the necessity for additional treatments.

Many of the devices and methods described herein are discussed relative to renal nerve ablation and/or modulation. However, it is contemplated that the devices and methods may be used in other treatment locations and/or applications where sympathetic nerve modulation and/or other tissue modulation including heating, activation, blocking, disrupting, or ablation are desired, such as, but not limited to: blood vessels, urinary vessels, or in other tissues via trocar and cannula access. For example, the devices and methods described herein can be applied to hyperplastic tissue ablation, cardiac ablation, pain management, pulmonary vein isolation, pulmonary vein ablation, tumor ablation, benign prostatic hyperplasia therapy, nerve excitation or blocking or ablation, modulation of muscle activity, hyperthermia or other warming of tissues, etc. The disclosed methods and apparatus can be applied to any relevant medical procedure, involving both human and non-human subjects. The term modulation refers to ablation and other techniques that may alter the function of affected nerves and other tissue.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example sympathetic nerve ablation system 100. System 100 may include a sympathetic nerve ablation device 120. Sympathetic nerve ablation device 120 may be used to ablate nerves (e.g., renal nerves) disposed adjacent to the kidney K (e.g., renal nerves disposed about a renal artery RA). In use, sympathetic nerve ablation device 120 may be advanced through a blood vessel such as the aorta A to a position within the renal artery RA. This may include advancing sympathetic nerve ablation device 120 through a guide sheath or catheter 14. When positioned as desired, sympathetic nerve ablation device 120 may be activated to activate one or more electrodes (not shown). This may include operatively coupling sympathetic nerve ablation device 120 to a control unit 110, which may include an RF generator, so as to supply the desired activation energy to the electrodes. For example, sympathetic nerve ablation device 120 may include a wire or conductive member 18 with a connector 20 that can be connected to a connector 22 on the control unit 110 and/or a wire 24 coupled to the control unit 110. In at least some embodiments, the control unit 110 may also be utilized to supply/receive the appropriate electrical energy and/or signal to activate one or more sensors disposed at or near a distal end of sympathetic nerve ablation device 120. When suitably activated, the electrodes may be capable of ablating tissue (e.g., sympathetic nerves) as described below and the sensors may be used to detect desired physical and/or biological parameters.

In some embodiments, the sympathetic nerve ablation device 120 may include an elongate tubular member or catheter shaft 122, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the elongate tubular member or catheter shaft 122 may be configured to be slidingly advanced over a guidewire or other elongate medical device to a target site. In some embodiments, the elongate tubular member or catheter shaft 122 may be configured to be slidingly advanced within a guide sheath or catheter 14 to a target site. In some embodiments, the elongate tubular member or catheter shaft 122 may be configured to be advanced to a target site over a guidewire, within a guide sheath or catheter 14, or a combination thereof. An expandable member 130 may be disposed at, on, about, or near a distal region of the elongate tubular member or catheter shaft 122.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the electrode assemblies may be arranged on the expandable member 130, shown here in an expanded state, according to a plurality of generally cylindrical treatment zones A-D. In other embodiments, the expandable member 130 or other components of the treatment system may include additional electrode assemblies that are not in a treatment zone or are otherwise not used or configured to deliver a treatment energy.

The treatment zones A-D and associated electrode assemblies 140 a-d are further illustrated in FIG. 3, which is an “unrolled” depiction of a portion of the expandable member 130 of FIG. 2. The treatment zones A-D may be longitudinally adjacent to one another along longitudinal axis L-L, and may be configured such that energy applied by the electrode assemblies create treatments that may or may not overlap. Treatments applied by the longitudinally adjacent bipolar electrode assemblies 140 a-d may be circumferentially non-continuous along longitudinal axis L-L. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, lesions created in treatment zone A may in some embodiments minimize overlap about a circumference (laterally with respect to L-L in this view) with lesions created in treatment zone B. In other embodiments, however, the energy applied by the electrode assemblies, such as the electrode assemblies shown in FIG. 3, may overlap, longitudinally, circumferentially, and/or in other ways, to at least some extent. Each electrode pad assembly may include four elements, which are a distal electrode pad 150 a-d, intermediate tail 160 a-d, proximal electrode pad 170 a-d, and proximal tail 180 b,d (not shown for electrode pad assemblies 140 b and 140 c).

FIG. 4 shows a top view of an example electrode assembly 200. The electrode assembly 200 may be constructed as a flexible circuit having a plurality of layers. Such layers may be continuous or non-contiguous, i.e., made up of discrete portions. Shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a base layer 202 of insulation may provide a foundation for the electrode assembly 200. The base layer 202 may be constructed from a polymer such as polyimide, although other materials are contemplated. A conductive layer 204 made up of a plurality of discrete traces may be layered on top of the base layer 202. The conductive layer 204 may be, for example, a layer of electrodeposited copper. Other materials are also contemplated. In some embodiments, one or more conductive element may be sputter coated or plated onto the expandable member. An insulating layer 206 may be discretely or continuously layered on top of the conductive layer 204, such that the conductive layer 204 may be fluidly sealed between the base layer 202 and the insulating layer 206. Like the base layer 202, the insulating layer 206 may be constructed from a polymer such as polyimide, although other materials are contemplated. In some embodiments, the insulating layer 206 may be from about 0.01 mm thick to about 0.02 mm thick. In other embodiments, the insulating layer 206 may be a complete or partial polymer coating, such as PTFE or silicone. Other materials are also contemplated.

The electrode assembly 200 shown in FIG. 4 may include a distal electrode pad 208. In this region, the base layer 202 may form a rectangular shape. This is not intended to be limiting. Other shapes are contemplated. As shown, the electrode assembly 200 may include a plurality of openings to provide for added flexibility, and the pads and other portions of the assemblies may include rounded or curved corners, transitions and other portions. In some instances, the openings and rounded/curved features may enhance the assembly's resistance to delamination from its expandable device, as may occur, in some instances, when the expandable device is repeatedly expanded and collapsed (which may also entail deployment from and withdrawal into a protective sheath), such as may be needed when multiple sites are treated during a procedure.

The distal electrode pad 208 may include a plurality of discrete traces layered on top of the base layer 202. These traces may include a ground trace 210, an active electrode trace 212, and a sensor trace 214. The ground trace 210 may include an elongated electrode support 216 laterally offset from a sensor ground pad 218. The sensor ground pad 218 may be electrically coupled to the elongated electrode support 216 of the ground trace 210 and may be centrally located on the distal electrode pad 208. A bridge 220 may connect a distal most portion of the sensor ground pad 218 to a distal portion of the elongated electrode support 216 of the ground trace 210. The bridge 220 may taper down in width as it travels to the sensor ground pad 218. In some embodiments, the bridge 220 may have a relatively uniform and thin width to enable a desired amount of flexibility. The elongated electrode support 216 may taper down in width at its proximal end, however, this is not required. In some embodiments, the elongated electrode support 216 may abruptly transition to a much thinner trace at its proximal portion, to enable a desired amount of flexibility. Generally, the curvature of the traces where necking is shown may be optimized to reduce balloon recapture forces and the potential for any snagging that sharper contours may present. The shape and position of the traces may also be optimized to provide dimensional stability to the electrode assembly 200 as a whole, so as to prevent distortion during deployment and use.

The system 100 may be used to perform a method of treatment in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure. For example, the control unit 110 may be operationally coupled to the ablation device 120, which may be inserted into a body passageway such that an expandable member 130 (having a plurality of electrode assemblies) may be placed adjacent to a first section of the body passageway where therapy is required. Placement of the ablation device 120 at the first section of the body passageway where therapy is required may be performed according to conventional methods, e.g., over a guidewire under fluoroscopic guidance. Once inserted, the expandable member 130 may be made to expand from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded configuration, for example by pressurizing fluid from about 2-10 atm in the case of a balloon. This may cause the electrodes and/or electrode assemblies of the expandable member 130 to come into contact with the first section of the body passageway.

In some embodiments, the balloon may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the base layer 202 may be bonded to the balloon with adhesive. The base layer 202 may be generally flat and stiffer than the softer round balloon. The generally flat electrode assembly 200 may resist conforming to the rounded balloon shape during refolding after use, which may require high withdrawal forces. In some cases, the generally flat electrode assembly 200 may create catch points at its edges which may lead to delamination of the electrode assembly 200.

The use of medical devices that include a balloon with one or more electrode assembly coupled thereto, for example as described herein, may be desirable. In some instances, however, the electrode assemblies may include relatively stiff materials. Accordingly, if the balloon is deflated, the electrode assembly may tend to flatten and/or widen out. When so configured, the electrode assembly, or edges thereof, might catch on the edge of a guide catheter when proximally retracting the medical device (e.g., including the affixed electrode assemblies) into the guide catheter. Disclosed herein are medical devices that include structural features that may reduce the likelihood of an electrode assembly or other structures of the medical device “catching” on the end of a guide catheter (or other device) when being retracted, for example, into the guide catheter, thus resulting in reduced withdrawal forces.

In some embodiments, a cover layer or thin coating 400 may be deposited over the expandable member 130 with attached electrode assemblies 200. The coating 400 may seal the electrode assemblies to the balloon. In some embodiments, the use of a coating may enable less adhesive to be used to attach the electrode assemblies to the balloon. For example, adhesive may be applied only to the back of the electrode assembly for bonding to the balloon. The adhesive may contribute to the stiffness of the electrode assemblies, thus reducing the amount of adhesive may increase the flexibility of the device. In embodiments with sputter coated or plated conductive elements, the coating seals the elements to the balloon, providing a way to attach elements that may otherwise have poor adhesion to the balloon. In some embodiments, the coating may be a chemical vapor deposited parylene, a poly(para-xylylene) polymer, a co-polymer of parylene such as a methacrylate group addition and/or vinyl group addition, graphene, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, or another polymer.

In some embodiments, the coating may be parylene C, the mono-chloro substituted compound, parylene N, the un-substituted compound, parylene D, the di-chloro substituted compound, parylene F, the fluorine substituted compound, or parylene HT. The coating process may be vapor deposition, resulting in a conformal coating that is hydrophobic, inert, transparent, bio-compatible, and provides a barrier to oxygen, moisture, chemicals, solvents, and carbon dioxide. The coating may be about 0.00001 to 0.001 inches thick, or about 0.00005 to 0.0005 inches thick, or about 0.0001 to 0.0002 inches thick. These are just examples. In some embodiments, the coating process may include dipping or spraying. Examples of materials for spray and/or dip coating include silicone dispersions, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyimide, polyurethanes including aliphatic polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethanes (for example SG-60D from Lubrizol), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polyether block amides such as PEBAX®.

As shown in FIG. 8, the coating process may involve suspending the ablation device 120 (expandable member 130 with attached electrode assemblies 200) from a support 500, and performing vapor deposition to coat a thin layer of parylene or other polymer over the device 120. The coating may prevent delamination of the electrode assemblies and may assist in refolding of the balloon after expansion.

The individual electrodes, and any other region where coating is not desired, may be covered or masked prior to coating, with the mask being removed after coating to create exposed regions 410 over the electrodes. Removal of the coating in defined regions such as over the electrodes may also be achieved by laser ablation or scraping. In some embodiments, the coating may be applied to less than the entire surface of the balloon, such as only to the region of the electrode assemblies.

FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-section A-A of the distal electrode pad 208. An electrode 222 is shown layered over a portion of the insulating layer 206, which may have a plurality of passages (e.g., holes) to enable the electrode 222 to couple to the elongated electrode support 216 of the ground trace 210 (of conductive layer 204). The coating 400 is disposed over the device, with the region of the electrode 222 being free of the coating 400. As shown in FIG. 6, in regions without electrodes 222, the coating 400 may cover the insulating layer 206 and the other components of the electrode assembly.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ground electrode trace 210 and active electrode trace 212 may include a plurality of electrodes. Three electrodes 222 may be provided for each electrode trace, however, more or less may be used. Additionally, each electrode 222 may have radiused corners to reduce tendency to snag on other devices and/or tissue. Although the above description of the electrodes 222 and the traces associated with them has been described in the context of a bi-polar electrode assembly, those of skill in the art will recognize that the same electrode assembly may function in a monopolar mode as well. For instance, as one non-limiting example, the electrodes associated with active electrode traces 212 and 242 may be used as monopolar electrodes, with ground trace 210 disconnected during energization of those electrodes.

The sensor trace 214 may be centrally located on the distal electrode pad 208 and may include a sensor power pad 224 facing the sensor ground pad 218. These pads may connect to power and ground poles of a temperature sensor 226, such as a thermocouple (for example, Type T configuration: Copper/Constantan) or thermistor, as shown in the partial cross-section depicted in FIG. 6.

The temperature sensor 226 may be proximately connected to the sensor power pad 224 and may be distally connected to the sensor ground pad 218. To help reduce overall thickness, the temperature sensor 226 may be positioned within an opening within the base layer 202. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 226 may be a thermistor. As shown, the temperature sensor 226 may be on a non-tissue contacting side of the distal electrode pad 208. Accordingly, the temperature sensor 226 may be captured between the electrode structure and a balloon when incorporated into a final device, such as ablation device 120. This may be advantageous since surface-mounted electrical components, like thermistors, typically have sharp edges and corners, which may get caught on tissue and possibly cause problems in balloon deployment and/or retraction. This arrangement may also keep soldered connections from making contact with blood, since solder is typically non-biocompatible. Further, due to the placement of the temperature sensor, it may measure temperature representative of tissue and the electrodes 222.

From the distal electrode pad 208, the combined base layer 202, conductive layer 204, and insulating layer 206 may reduce in lateral width to an intermediate tail 228. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the conductive layer 204 may be formed to include an intermediate ground line 230, intermediate active electrode line 232, and intermediate sensor line 234, which may be respectively coextensive traces of the ground trace 210, active electrode trace 212, and sensor trace 214 of the distal electrode pad 208.

From the intermediate tail 228, the combined base layer 202, conductive layer 204, and insulating layer 206 may increase in lateral width to form a proximal electrode pad 236. The proximal electrode pad 236 may be constructed similarly to the distal electrode pad 208, with the electrode geometry and temperature sensor arrangement being essentially identical, although various differences may be present. However, as shown, the proximal electrode pad 236 may be laterally offset from the distal electrode pad 208 with respect to a central axis G-G extending along the intermediate ground line 230. The intermediate active electrode line 232 and intermediate sensor line 234 may be laterally coextensive with the proximal electrode pad 236 on parallel respective axes with respect to central axis G-G.

From the proximal electrode pad 236, the combined base layer 202, conductive layer 204, and insulating layer 206 may reduce in lateral width to form a proximal tail 238. The proximal tail 238 may include a proximal ground line 240, proximal active electrode line 242, and proximal sensor line 244, as well the intermediate active electrode line 232 and intermediate sensor line 234. The proximal tail 238 may include connectors (not shown) to enable coupling to one or more sub-wiring harnesses and/or connectors and ultimately to control unit 110. Each of these lines may be extended along parallel respective axes with respect to central axis G-G.

As shown, the electrode assembly 200 may have an asymmetric arrangement of the distal electrode pad 208 and proximal electrode pad 236, about axis G-G. Further, the ground electrodes of both electrode pads may be substantially aligned along axis G-G, along with the intermediate and proximal ground lines 230/240. It has been found that this arrangement may present certain advantages. For example, by essentially sharing the same ground trace, the width of the proximal tail may be only about one and a half times that of the intermediate tail 228, rather than being approximately twice as wide if each electrode pad had independent ground lines. Thus, the proximal tail 238 may be narrower than two of the intermediate tails 228.

In some embodiments, a plurality of electrode assemblies 310 may be twisted or canted at an angle from the longitudinal axis L-L of the expandable member 130, as shown in FIG. 7. The angled electrode assemblies 310 may be disposed along or otherwise define pre-determined fold lines along which the expandable member 130 may fold after deflation. In some embodiments, angled electrode assemblies 310 may aid in twisting and re-folding of the expandable member 130.

The electrode assemblies 310 may be substantially linear along their length, extending at an angle from the longitudinal axis along the entire length of the expandable member 130. In other embodiments, the electrode assemblies may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis in a proximal region, and then be bent into an angled orientation in a distal region (not shown). The angled electrode assemblies 310 may cause the balloon to rotate and fold along the lines of the angled elongate members 310, reducing the withdrawal force needed to withdraw the ablation device 300 into a guide sheath or catheter 14, and allowing the use of a smaller diameter guide sheath. For example, a 6 Fr or 7 Fr guide catheter 14 may be used, providing advantages in renal procedures, rather than 8 Fr guide catheters which have been previously used. The angled electrode assemblies 310 may reduce shear force or improve balloon refold profile efficiency, thereby reducing delamination of the electrode assemblies from the expandable member 130.

The electrode assemblies 310 may be similar in form and function to the electrode assemblies and/or flex circuits disclosed herein (e.g., electrode assembly 200). In at least some embodiments, the electrode assemblies 310 may be attached directly to the expandable member 130, and each electrode assembly 310 may contain one or more electrode pads 325. Each electrode pad 325 may include one or more ground electrodes, one or more active electrodes, and a temperature sensor as discussed above. In some embodiments, the electrodes and sensors of each electrode pad 325 may be arranged as shown in FIG. 4A. The electrode pads 325 on adjacent electrode assemblies 310 may be offset, as shown in FIG. 7. In other embodiments, the electrode pads 325 may have a helical orientation along the length of the expandable member 130 that forms at least one complete (360 degree) circumferential loop within the lumen or vessel that the expandable member 130 is positioned. The electrode pads 325 may provide heating at a location within the tissue surrounding the body passageway without damaging the wall of the body passageway in order to disrupt the nerves located in the tissue surrounding the body passageway wall. A helical orientation is desirable to help avoid an increased risk of stenosis that may be present when electrodes are disposed within a single plane normal to a longitudinal axis of the body passageway (i.e., a circular electrode or group of electrodes forming a circumferential ring).

In use, the ablation device 120 may be advanced through a blood vessel to a position adjacent to a target tissue (e.g., within a renal artery). In some embodiments, the target tissue may be one or more renal nerves disposed about the renal artery. When suitably positioned, expandable member 130 may be expanded from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded configuration. This may place the active electrodes against the wall of the blood vessel. The active electrodes may be activated. Ablation energy may be transmitted from the active electrodes through the target tissue (where renal nerves may be ablated, modulated, or otherwise impacted), and back through the ground electrodes, in a bipolar configuration, or back through the common ground electrode, in a monopolar configuration.

The materials that can be used for the various components of the ablation device 120 (and/or other devices disclosed herein) may include those commonly associated with medical devices. For simplicity purposes, the following discussion makes reference to the ablation device 120. However, this is not intended to limit the devices and methods described herein, as the discussion may be applied to other similar tubular members and/or expandable members and/or components of tubular members and/or expandable members disclosed herein.

The ablation device 120 and the various components thereof may be made from a metal, metal alloy, polymer (some examples of which are disclosed below), a metal-polymer composite, ceramics, combinations thereof, and the like, or other suitable material. Some examples of suitable polymers may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyoxymethylene (POM, for example, DELRIN® available from DuPont), polyether block ester, polyurethane (for example, Polyurethane 85A), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyether-ester (for example, ARNITEL® available from DSM Engineering Plastics), ether or ester based copolymers (for example, butylene/poly(alkylene ether) phthalate and/or other polyester elastomers such as HYTREL® available from DuPont), polyamide (for example, DURETHAN® available from Bayer or CRISTAMID® available from Elf Atochem), elastomeric polyamides, block polyamide/ethers, polyether block amide (PEBA, for example available under the trade name PEBAX®), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), silicones, polyethylene (PE), Marlex high-density polyethylene, Marlex low-density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene (for example REXELL®), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), poly paraphenylene terephthalamide (for example, KEVLAR®), polysulfone, nylon, nylon-12 (such as GRILAMID® available from EMS American Grilon), perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) (PFA), ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyolefin, polystyrene, epoxy, polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (for example, SIBS and/or SIBS 50A), polycarbonates, ionomers, biocompatible polymers, other suitable materials, or mixtures, combinations, copolymers thereof, polymer/metal composites, and the like. In some embodiments the sheath can be blended with a liquid crystal polymer (LCP). For example, the mixture can contain up to about 6 percent LCP.

Some examples of suitable metals and metal alloys include stainless steel, such as 304V, 304L, and 316LV stainless steel; mild steel; nickel-titanium alloy such as linear-elastic and/or super-elastic nitinol; other nickel alloys such as nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: N06625 such as INCONEL® 625, UNS: N06022 such as HASTELLOY® C-22®, UNS: N10276 such as HASTELLOY® C276®, other HASTELLOY® alloys, and the like), nickel-copper alloys (e.g., UNS: N04400 such as MONEL® 400, NICKELVAC® 400, NICORROS® 400, and the like), nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30035 such as MP35-N® and the like), nickel-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: N10665 such as HASTELLOY® ALLOY B2®), other nickel-chromium alloys, other nickel-molybdenum alloys, other nickel-cobalt alloys, other nickel-iron alloys, other nickel-copper alloys, other nickel-tungsten or tungsten alloys, and the like; cobalt-chromium alloys; cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30003 such as ELGILOY®, PHYNOX®, and the like); platinum enriched stainless steel; titanium; combinations thereof; and the like; or any other suitable material.

As alluded to herein, within the family of commercially available nickel-titanium or nitinol alloys, is a category designated “linear elastic” or “non-super-elastic” which, although may be similar in chemistry to conventional shape memory and super elastic varieties, may exhibit distinct and useful mechanical properties. Linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may be distinguished from super elastic nitinol in that the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol does not display a substantial “superelastic plateau” or “flag region” in its stress/strain curve like super elastic nitinol does. Instead, in the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol, as recoverable strain increases, the stress continues to increase in a substantially linear, or a somewhat, but not necessarily entirely linear relationship until plastic deformation begins or at least in a relationship that is more linear that the super elastic plateau and/or flag region that may be seen with super elastic nitinol. Thus, for the purposes of this disclosure linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may also be termed “substantially” linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol.

In some cases, linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may also be distinguishable from super elastic nitinol in that linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nitinol may accept up to about 2-5% strain while remaining substantially elastic (e.g., before plastically deforming) whereas super elastic nitinol may accept up to about 8% strain before plastically deforming. Both of these materials can be distinguished from other linear elastic materials such as stainless steel (that can also can be distinguished based on its composition), which may accept only about 0.2 to 0.44 percent strain before plastically deforming.

In some embodiments, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy is an alloy that does not show any martensite/austenite phase changes that are detectable by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic metal thermal analysis (DMTA) analysis over a large temperature range. For example, in some embodiments, there may be no martensite/austenite phase changes detectable by DSC and DMTA analysis in the range of about −60 degrees Celsius (° C.) to about 120° C. in the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. The mechanical bending properties of such material may therefore be generally inert to the effect of temperature over this very broad range of temperature. In some embodiments, the mechanical bending properties of the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy at ambient or room temperature are substantially the same as the mechanical properties at body temperature, for example, in that they do not display a super-elastic plateau and/or flag region. In other words, across a broad temperature range, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy maintains its linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic characteristics and/or properties.

In some embodiments, the linear elastic and/or non-super-elastic nickel-titanium alloy may be in the range of about 50 to about 60 weight percent nickel, with the remainder being essentially titanium. In some embodiments, the composition is in the range of about 54 to about 57 weight percent nickel. One example of a suitable nickel-titanium alloy is FHP-NT alloy commercially available from Furukawa Techno Material Co. of Kanagawa, Japan. Some examples of nickel titanium alloys are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,238,004 and 6,508,803, which are incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable materials may include ULTANIUM™ (available from Neo-Metrics) and GUM METAL™ (available from Toyota). In some other embodiments, a superelastic alloy, for example a superelastic nitinol can be used to achieve desired properties.

In at least some embodiments, portions of the ablation device 120 may also be doped with, made of, or otherwise include a radiopaque material. Radiopaque materials are understood to be materials capable of producing a relatively bright image on a fluoroscopy screen or another imaging technique during a medical procedure. This relatively bright image aids the user of the ablation device 120 in determining its location. Some examples of radiopaque materials can include, but are not limited to, gold, platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten alloy, polymer material loaded with a radiopaque filler, and the like. Additionally, other radiopaque marker bands and/or coils may also be incorporated into the design of the ablation device 120 to achieve the same result.

In some embodiments, a degree of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatibility may be imparted into the ablation device 120. For example, portions of device, may be made of a material that does not substantially distort the image and create substantial artifacts (i.e., gaps in the image). Certain ferromagnetic materials, for example, may not be suitable because they may create artifacts in an MRI image. In some of these and in other embodiments, portions of the ablation device 120 may also be made from a material that the MRI machine can image. Some materials that exhibit these characteristics include, for example, tungsten, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30003 such as ELGILOY®, PHYNOX®, and the like), nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30035 such as MP35-N® and the like), nitinol, and the like, and others.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/750,879, filed on Jan. 25, 2013, now U.S. Patent Publication No. US20130165926A1 is herein incorporated by reference.

It should be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the disclosure. This may include, to the extent that it is appropriate, the use of any of the features of one example embodiment being used in other embodiments. The invention's scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation, comprising: a catheter shaft; an expandable balloon coupled to the catheter shaft, the expandable balloon being rounded and capable of shifting between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration; a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each comprising one or more electrodes disposed on the expandable balloon, the electrode assemblies being twisted or canted at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the expandable balloon, the electrode assemblies being constructed as a flexible circuit having a plurality of layers that comprise a base layer of insulation that is planar and is stiffer than the expandable balloon, a conductive layer comprising a plurality of discrete traces disposed over the base layer and an insulating layer disposed over the conductive layer; and a cover layer disposed over an outer surface of the electrode assemblies, wherein the cover layer seals the electrode assemblies onto the expandable balloon, and wherein one or more regions of the electrode assemblies are free from the cover layer.
 2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is sputter coated onto the expandable balloon.
 3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrodes are free from the cover layer.
 4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the expandable balloon is a non-compliant balloon and the cover layer unfolds and folds with the expandable balloon.
 5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is vapor deposited onto the expandable balloon.
 6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is plated onto the expandable balloon.
 7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is a polymer.
 8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the cover layer is a parylene.
 9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is about 0.0001 to 0.0002 inches thick.
 10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the electrode assemblies include a temperature sensor.
 11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned between a bottom surface of one of the electrode assemblies and an outer surface of the expandable balloon.
 12. The medical device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the electrode assemblies include a pair of adjacent bipolar electrodes.
 13. The medical device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the electrode assemblies include a monopolar electrode.
 14. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is the outermost layer on the device.
 15. The medical device of claim 1, wherein areas over the one or more electrodes are free of the cover layer and wherein remaining regions of the elongate electrode assemblies without the one or more electrodes are covered by the cover layer.
 16. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrodes are disposed entirely over the base layer.
 17. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrodes are disposed entirely over the base layer, wherein areas over the one or more electrodes are free of the cover layer, and wherein remaining regions of the elongate electrode assemblies without the one or more electrodes are covered by the cover layer.
 18. A medical device, comprising: a catheter shaft; an expandable balloon coupled to the catheter shaft, the expandable balloon being rounded; a flexible circuit disposed along the expandable balloon, the flexible circuit being twisted or canted at an angle from a longitudinal axis of the expandable balloon, the flexible circuit having a plurality of layers that comprise a base layer of insulation that is planar and is stiffer than the expandable balloon, a conductive layer comprising a plurality of discrete traces disposed over the base layer and an insulating layer disposed over the conductive layer, the flexible circuit including a pair of bipolar electrodes; and a cover layer sputter coated over an outer surface of at least a portion of the flexible circuit, wherein the cover layer seals the flexible circuit onto the expandable balloon, and wherein one or more regions of the flexible circuit are free from the cover layer.
 19. The medical device of claim 18, wherein the electrodes are disposed entirely over the base layer, wherein areas over the electrodes are free of the cover layer, and wherein remaining regions of the flexible circuit without the electrodes are covered by the cover layer. 